VISA
Validity of the visa is limited to 3 (three)
months after issue. A visa may be issued by
any Myanmar embassy abroad. Or you can apply
for a visa online at https://www.visa.gov.mm/ Since 2003, 200.- US Dollars are not required
to exchange to local currency at the entry point.
REQUIREMENTS
A passport is required, valid for 6 months beyond
your tour departure date, 2 passport photos
and an empty page in your passport visa section.
CUSTOMS FORMALITIES
Foreign exchange not exceeding the equivalent
of US$ 2,000.- (two thousand) may be imported
to Myanmar without declaration. Any foreign
currencies exceeding the amount of US$ 2,000.-
must be declared as well as gemstones, jewelry,
gold, electrical appliances and video cameras.
It is not permitted to bring mobile phones into
Myanmar. Every visitor may import two liters
of alcoholic beverage and two cartons of cigarettes
free of charge.
Antiques and objects of archaeological value
exceeding a certain age may not be exported.
Gold, silver and jewelry may only be exported
if acquired in a store licensed by the government.
No rain cheques or compensation will be given
for non-attendance, rain or cancelled activities.
Meals not taken are not refundable.
MONEY/CREDIT CARDS
For spending money the best option is US Dollar
notes here in Myanmar. Make sure to bring new
notes, as sometime old notes are not accepted.
The currency in Myanmar is the Kyat (pronounced
chaat). The exchange rate at the moment is Kyats
920 for US$ 1. In Myanmar credit cards and travel
cheque are not accepted. Make sure to bring
enough cash to cover your stay.
VACCINATIONS
Presently, no inoculations are required for
travel to Myanmar. There are recommended inoculations
such as Polio, Hepatitis, Typhoid and Malaria.
Altitude may be a concern to some travelers.
Please consult your physician for your specific
needs.
The dreaded tropical diseases usually do not
constitute a threat to tourists because they
are mainly the result of unsanitary conditions,
lack of medical care due to poverty and similar
factors. Malaria, however, should never be underestimated,
but, according to our experience, is not a grave
problem in areas visited by tourists. The threat
of being bitten or poisoned by dangerous animals
should also not be overestimated.
On one hand poisonous snakes and spiders are
rarely to be found and on the other hand they
anyway usually run away before a human gets
close. However, we advise to stay away from
the all too common stray dogs as well as from
cats. Unfortunately the quality of medical care
leaves a lot to be desired. Minor indispositions
may be handled by local doctors and some local
pharmacies stock a fairly extensive spectrum
of drugs, mostly sold under their English trade
names. We recommend to bring along all regularly
required drugs in sufficient numbers, as well
as cosmetics. In the case of aggravating health
problems your place of treatment should be either
Bangkok or Singapore where you will find plenty
of good hospitals.The most common health problems,
however, are flu and diarrhea: Even though you
may not be able to prevent them entirely you
can limit them by choosing clean and proper
food and avoid to stay in air-conditioned rooms
for too long.
CLIMATE
The country's climate is ruled by the monsoons.
There are three distinct seasons that can differ
considerably in various parts of the country:
For example, in Yangon precipitation is four
times that of Bagan. This is a blessing for
the country's tourism as the major attractions
are located in the dry zone of Upper Myanmar
and can be visited during the rainy season as
well, while the delta and both the Rakhine as
well as the Tanintharyi coasts are blessed with
plenty of rain. Some attractions like the Golden
Rock are nearly inaccessible in the rainy season.
Mandalay on the other hand can be rather cool
in winter and extremely hot in summer, while
climatic conditions in Yangon are not that extreme.
Winter: From November to February; the
most pleasant season for travelers. During this
season the climate resembles a fair European
summer. However, in some mountainous areas the
temperatures can drop to 0 centigrade.
PLEASE NOTE: A JACKET, PULLOVER, SOCKS, WARM
PIJAMAS ARE NEEDED!!!
Hot season
Starts in March and lasts until May. During
this season temperatures easily exceed 40 centigrade,
even in Yangon.
Rainy season
Starts in May and lasts until November. However,
as mentioned above, the amount of rainfall differs
according to the area. And indeed, it's wonderful
to travel with less travelers around - and after
every rainfall the temperature cools down!
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
This field has seen a lot of improvement in
recent years. Nowadays travelers can reach their
home countries by phone or fax - at least from
the major cities in Myanmar. The formerly exorbitant
prices have dropped quite a bit; however, at
US$ 3.20/minute phoning from Myanmar to Europe
it is still far from being a bargain.
Whenever making phone calls from Myanmar it
is important to ask for the price first - at
some hotels the tariff might be double the official
rate. E-mail is available in the big hotels;
again, it should be remembered that this comes
at a price as well. In no way prices can can
be compared with the 'rock bottom' prices in
the West. Travelers better also leave their
cellular phones at home as they would have to
be surrendered at the custom's office; moreover,
they are not going to work in Myanmar anyway...
The local mobile telephone net is practically
useless for tourists: A mobile phone costs over
US$ 4,000.-! Finally, the local phone nets are
permanently overload and the quality of the
connections leaves also much to be desired...
LETTERS & PARCELS
What has been said about telecommunications
is also true for the mail service. However,
the postage is definitely cheap. Of course,
letters and postcards take quite some time to
reach their destinations but usually most of
them will arrive.
We recommend to give any letters to your local
guide who will take care of it by giving a little
tea money to the clerk. Many hotels as well
offer this service.
Parcels may be sent and delivered in Myanmar
but again it is rather time-consuming, especially
if you want to pick up a parcel at the Foreign
Post Office - bring along a lot of time and
patience! Private services like DHL come at
a price but are doing a good job. If you should
wish to send bulky and heavy items home it can
be done either by airfreight or by sea. In this
case our guides will be willing to give you
the necessary help and assistance.
ELECTRICITY
The usual voltage in Myanmar is 220 Volts. However,
fluctuations can be amazing: Be prepared for
anything between 80 and 300 Volts! That's why
no Myanmar household is complete with at least
one if not a battery of voltage regulators.
Make sure to protect your electrical appliances
from overvoltage - your laptop might take it
rather ill...
In the big hotels the voltage usually should
be o.k., even though you can never be completely
sure. There also exists a "bewildering"
multitude of different plugs and sockets in
the country; extension sockets for three different
types of plugs are the rule. Don't believe in
world plugs and sockets - in this aspect Myanmar
is not a part of our world! However, if the
need arises you can find what you need in any
roadside shop - the problem is all too common
in the country. Power cuts are all over the
country more the rule than the exception, even
though one has to admit that the general situation
has improved during the last years as the former
high subsidies have been cut back dramatically.
That's why many hotels and even shops have their
own generators to ensure a permanent power supply.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean 24 hours
of power supply as many hotels switch on the
generator only after sunset and switch it off
at around 11 p.m.!
PHOTO & FILM
In a country as photogenic as Myanmar many photo
enthusiasts realize long before the end of their
journey that they didn't bring along enough
films.
Nowadays that is not a problem anymore as supplies
can be replenished in most places where tourists
congregate. However, in some cases it might
be difficult to get a special film or the films
on sale are expired. So it might be a better
idea to bring a sufficient supply of films.
Generally the Burmese do not have any objections
against being photographed. However, courtesy
commands to obtain the 'victim's' approval.
Many pagodas charge a minimal fee for cameras;
video cameras might be a little more expensive.
Some museums restrict photography. It's not
a problem any more to bring along video cameras.
SOUVENIRS
In Myanmar arts and crafts have a very long
tradition and are still very much alive.
Accordingly a number of interesting souvenirs
can be bought in the country and the best places
to buy them are the tourist centres. In Yangon
and Mandalay there are quite a few shops specializing
in the needs of tourists.
Contrary to a widely-held belief according to
our experience the export of Buddha statues
doesn't constitute a major problem as long as
the statues are new and not yet consecrated.
Also, a little 'baksheesh' sometimes results
in miracles. Your local guide may also be willing
to help you should the need arise.
TIPS????????????
For the guides: In general I use to say, US$
one per day/per person... This is the minimum
required -any additional amount to be given
is the decision of our clients. There is no
limitation. For the drivers: 50 cents per person/per
day. For the porters: per luggage: 20 cents.
At local restaurants: appr. 20 cents per person
- depends again on the service you got! International
Hotels: you have to check it out: mostly service
is included.
PRICES
The cost of living in Myanmar depends very much
on where you are: While in an expensive hotel
a beer may cost you US$ 5.- you might get it
for about US$ 1.-(or its equivalent in Kyat)
in a restaurant. Generally spoken, Myanmar is
a low-priced country but as soon as you go for
imported articles the price level easily matches
the one in Thailand or even other Western countries
- import taxes are rather high! As long "as
you go local" you might pay one fifth of
the price!
THE SHOE QUESTION
Ever since foreigners have come to Myanmar they
encountered the shoe question. In temples, stupas
and monasteries and their precincts it is an
absolute must to take off shoes and socks as
well.
As the term 'precinct' sometimes is interpreted
in a rather large scale, very often this rule
results in displeasure, even anger on the side
of some foreign visitors - many have problems
to understand why shoes should be taken off
a long way before the building. The same is
valid for temples that are not any more in use.
LAST NOT LEAST: Please don't forget
you travel in an under-developed country, where
events are less predictable than is usually
the case in, for example, Western Europe or
North America. Places visited lack the same
quality of emergency health and safety services.
Travel by rail is generally unreliable and by
road generally less comfortable due to the bumpy
roads. Some hotel & service standards may
not approach Western expectations, although
I must admit that within the past few years
Myanmar hotels $ services can compete easily
with some 5 star facilities in Western countries!
But alas not always! Anyhow, the unexpected
is the normal in theses areas, and despite painstaking
planning and organization, adventure travel
can never be taken for granted like a normal
holiday. But you will be rewarded with a very
special journey into a very special country!
